Rethinking the Place of Food on Australian Campuses

SESSION OVERVIEW

This session seeks to illuminate a different approach to campus food in Australia that balances commercial, welfare and equity interests. We’ll draw on our ongoing research and conversations with experts from around Australia and the world to advocate for a shift in our thinking about campus food from private and for-profit, to as ‘commons’ and a public good. In doing so we argue that a re-thinking of campus food can lead to more sustainable, equitable and responsible outcomes for retailers, students, institutional communities and institutions themselves.

Session Outcomes

1. Learn about alterative approaches to campus food from around the world such as canteens and cafeterias.

2. Consider how food might be an avenue for universities to meet sustainability and equity goals, as well as promote student life and engagement.

3. Explore how campus retailers might be a part of this shift.

PRESENTERS

Sara Guest

Sara is a PhD candidate in Social Geography at the University of Melbourne. Her research examines the everyday experiences of food insecure university students in Melbourne. She’s previously been involved in projects exploring food and higher education in Australia, developing toolkits and policy recommendations, as well as working with Study Melbourne, Just Food and other student organisations.  

Haleena Nguyen

Haleena is a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) student at the University of Melbourne. Her Honours research project uses qualitative methods to investigate the ways in which the university campus foodscape has shaped students’ feelings of belonging since the 1970s.  

Professor Jane Dyson

Jane Dyson is a Professor of Human Geography at the University of Melbourne. Her work is driven by an interest in how social and economic changes transform opportunities for minoritized and marginalized young people in India and Australia. She has published books and articles and produced and directed four award winning films on themes including youth politics, food insecurity, education, work and love.